LAHORE: Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq has said the lack of exposure to 50-over cricket at domestic level as the root cause of the team’s current struggle in the ODI format.

Talking to ESPNcricinfo Misbah says, “While a Pakistani domestic cricketer may play at least ten to twenty first-class matches a season, he doesn’t get the same match practice in the 50-over format,” Misbah told . “I have long been saying that we need to lay greater emphasis on one-day cricket in our domestic system, and play more one-day games, because you can’t evolve by playing a maximum of five 50-over matches a year in the domestic circuit.”

Pakistan are currently the No. 1 Test team in the world, they are languishing at No. 9 in the ODI rankings. Misbah was of the opinion that the discrepancy in the team’s fortunes was due to lack of exposure, and not talent.

He said most of the cricket at grassroots level is 20 to 25 overs, which is major reason that ODI cricket has deteriorated and we are standing at No. 9. He urged for developing resources which can be done by increasing the number of games in our domestic tournament.

He said the players are talented and they have shown glimpses of their flair and this talent needs to be nurtured by giving them more games at domestic level. He said exposure to a lot of competitive cricket will enable the domestic cricketers to polish their skills.

Pakistan have required to gain atleast number 8th rank for direct qualification into the 2019 World Cup in England. The former world champions will play 14 ODIs before the window for direct qualification will close. Misbah has backed coach Mickey Arthur’s efforts to make sure Pakistan being among the top eight teams by the September 2017 deadline.